Cat 145: Scared, Weren’t You?

Chapter 145: Scared, Weren’t You!

After slipping cautiously out of the apartment building, Yan Jiyun jumped from Qi Feng’s arms and decided to lead him back to the teaching building. Qi Feng simply followed, even though he had no idea if the game had programmed something into his cat or if somehow his Caramel just knew what to do. He didn’t dwell on it. Maybe, just maybe, the system had given Caramel his own cat-themed quest guide? You couldn’t predict logic when it came to different species; this time, even Qi Feng was stumped.

It was class change time, and as soon as they hit a crowd, Yan Jiyun burrowed back into Qi Feng’s arms. Knowing their destination was the teaching building, Qi Feng carried him upstairs. He spotted Ban Mo, Qiu Xi, and Gu Wenzhu faking idle chatter with NPCs in the corridor, secretly gathering intel.

With so many people around, Yan Jiyun had no way to get Qi Feng to strike up a conversation with Han Ruibai. He’d only ever interacted with Han when in human form; as a cat, communication was out of the question.

Qi Feng’s cover was as a student in the honors class, not the standard test prep class. He had no idea why Caramel wanted to go back to the teaching block, but since this was their first time in the same copy together, he wasn’t about to confine Caramel to his backpack. He wanted to know if Caramel was completing tasks of his own, or just following the story.

Returning to his class, “Qi Feng” was expected to sit at his seat in the last row—a prime target for the teacher’s watchful eye. Yan Jiyun had no complaints; he saw now that veteran players had it even tougher than him. For the moment, he stayed in the backpack, because he’d caught sight of Han Ruibai’s stepbrother, Xue Ping—who, fortuitously, was Qi Feng’s deskmate.

Yan Jiyun hadn’t encountered Xue Ping in Copy B. Was this NPC absent there, had his time there simply been too short, or was Xue Ping a floater, not a major character, and so only existed in Copy A?

Qi Feng glanced down and saw feline-green eyes fixed on his NPC deskmate.

At the moment, Xue Ping was resting his chin on one hand and solving problems on scrap paper.

Sensing Qi Feng’s gaze, Xue Ping—the NPC who’d already played basketball with Qi Feng and thus recognized him—looked up and quietly asked, “Qi Feng, can I talk to you about something?”

Qi Feng nodded. “Go ahead.”

Xue Ping double-checked that no one was watching. “Here’s the thing: I have a friend who’s been acting off lately.”

Qi Feng understood.

Yan Jiyun understood.

Classic “I have a friend” preface—it’s always about themselves.

Come on, friend, spill your story and let us enjoy it!

Yan Jiyun poked his head out and pressed it against Qi Feng’s calf, taking on the most attentive “gossip listener” attitude. The two of them—being tall and sitting in the back row—could keep their conversation low.

Xue Ping continued in a hushed tone, “My friend’s family is complicated. His parents divorced early and he lives with his dad. They’re pretty well-off; his dad’s always had women around, but never brought one home. Then one day, my friend’s dad brings home a beautiful woman who’s pregnant with his child and also has a son from her first marriage.”

Qi Feng summarized crisply, “So this is about your friend and his new stepbrother?”

Xue Ping blushed. “Yes—keep it down, my friend’s private.”

Yan Jiyun: …Isn’t this already public knowledge? Isn’t everyone already aware of you and Han Ruibai?

Anyone involved in the Liu’s “knock Han Ruibai out and dump him in the music building” plot knew the whole situation.

That aside, Xue Ping’s family background seemed solid, while Han Ruibai’s mother’s side probably wasn’t as well-off.

Yan Jiyun had never seen signs of inferiority in Han Ruibai, but rather, an eagerness to build “brotherly” ties. Xue Ping was standoffish, but at Han Ruibai’s critical moment, he’d intervened immediately—so the brotherly bond wasn’t so bad.

But why was Xue Ping now turning to Qi Feng?

Qi Feng wasn’t one to indulge idle gossip. He just wanted Xue Ping to hurry up and spit out whatever he needed.

“So what exactly do you want—advice on getting along with him?”

Xue Ping’s ears turned redder. “Well, my friend… didn’t speak so nicely before, and now isn’t sure how to make things right.”

Yan Jiyun: You’re just trying to make up and you’re blushing? Yesterday you were still giving Han the cold shoulder!

Wait—maybe this really was about himself.

But Han Ruibai’s a guy; isn’t making up as simple as asking? Is this really about a “friend”?

But—before Yan Jiyun could conclude one way or the other, Qi Feng calmly advised, “Just apologize. Guys don’t hold grudges—at our age, everyone’s impulsive, and with a complicated family, the aftereffects matter more. Even if you’re not brothers, you can still get along. He won’t hold it against you.”

Xue Ping was a little steadier. “Really? He won’t mind my friend’s harsh words?”

Qi Feng stuck to reassurance. “If it’s sincere, it’ll be fine.”

Xue Ping defensively muttered, “It’s my friend, not me.”

Yan Jiyun, hearing this “awkward brotherly affection,” was low-key impressed.

He kneaded the backpack’s lining with his paws—so Xue Ping did care after all.

Qi Feng asked, “Okay then, what’s your friend’s take—is the feeling mutual?”

Yan Jiyun was surprised by the angle; would the other party’s opinion even matter in an apology?

He recalled Han’s demeanor toward Xue Ping the previous afternoon—tense, but with a heart-to-heart, maybe the household would know peace.

Xue Ping said, “I guess? Not sure—oh, my friend isn’t sure.”

Qi Feng just looked at him, unmasking everything.

Finally Xue Ping gave in. “Fine, it’s me. I don’t know what to do. Even if I try to avoid him, it never works, and in the end, I still worry. Yesterday, when he got bullied, I was furious.”

Yan Jiyun: Xue Ping, good big brother material!

Qi Feng: “Need a hand? Which class is your friend in?”

Xue Ping straightened up. “Of course—after school I’m meeting those bastards for a brawl. I’ve never bullied him; how dare they lay hands on my brother!”

Yan Jiyun: …

Wasn’t he awkward and hesitant a moment ago, and now he’s fully claimed Han as his brother? Teenagers—simple troubles but warm hearts. At this age, it’s nice to like someone so deeply.

It was strange luck running into Han Ruibai, and even stranger that Qi Feng was Xue Ping’s desk mate. Maybe this, too, was a thread in the instance; with Han on the roster and involved with the “Mermaid” score, he could be the next target.

Whether related or not, he could very well be on the avenger’s list!

Worse—Han Ruibai might be marked.

As Yan Jiyun worried over Han’s fate, someone called out his name—a student relaying a message: Teacher Qu wanted to see him in the music building about the competition.

But Teacher Qu had just returned to his apartment; he wasn’t in the music building.

Using Teacher Qu as pretense to lure Han out? That took planning.

Daylight or not, what did they intend for Han Ruibai?

Yan Jiyun almost let romance muddy his logic. If someone tricked Han away, it could only be to harm him.

Han must not go.

He scratched the backpack urgently.

In real life, if he scratched the bag, Qi Feng would know he wanted out; if not let out, he’d open zippers or even get into the luggage on his own.

Qi Feng knew he hated tight spaces.

With a few minutes till the teacher’s arrival, Qi Feng slung on his bag and headed out.

Yan Jiyun: My can opener is on-point!

Xue Ping followed. “Where are you off to—not staying for class?”

Qi Feng gave a random excuse: “I’m hungry, didn’t eat enough at lunch—going to buy some crackers to keep my blood sugar up.”

Xue Ping bit his lip. “Then I’ll come with you. I can’t focus right now, anyway.”

Before Qi Feng even thought to refuse, Xue Ping grabbed his phone and left too.

Their behavior attracted attention; the bell had sounded, the teacher was nearly there—were they seriously skipping?

How daring to run out on the homeroom teacher.

Qi Feng and Xue Ping pulled it off.

Yan Jiyun hadn’t expected to drag both out—NPC autonomy really was impressive.

Downstairs, they ran into Han Ruibai, heading for the music building.

Han was going in the opposite direction. They collided by chance.

Just after confessing his feelings to Qi Feng, Xue Ping suddenly saw the object of those feelings and turned beet red.

Qi Feng, holding the backpack, noticed the lack of movement inside, worried Caramel was getting stifled—but then he saw Xue Ping’s red ears and the intense stare he gave that handsome boy. Qi Feng remembered yesterday: Han had called Xue Ping over after their basketball game.

Xue Ping, putting on a front, shoved his hands in his pockets and asked, “Han Ruibai, what are you doing skipping class?”

Han, head down, just now recognized him. He smiled: “A classmate said Teacher Qu needs me to go to the music building.”

Qi Feng feigned confusion. “Teacher Qu? I just saw him go back to his apartment.”

At that, Xue Ping’s flush faded. “Wait, Teacher Qu only goes home to rest. Why would he summon you to the music building?” Remembering yesterday, he grew suspicious. “Who told you?”

Yan Jiyun, too, wanted to know. Better to bump into Han than see him wander into a trap.

Han grew anxious. “Some student I didn’t know. I’ve never seen him before.”

Thinking it over, even Han felt nervous.

Qi Feng pressed the point. “Was it just the music building? Or Teacher’s office?”

Han: “Just the music building. I figured it’d be his office.”

Xue Ping: “I want to see who’s trying to mess with you.”

And, saying so, he sprinted toward the music building.

Qi Feng grabbed him. “Wait, I’ll come too.”

Xue Ping patted him on the shoulder, all loyalty: “Bro, I owe you.”

Qi Feng didn’t like being touched, but let it slide.

“Fine.” It wasn’t easy to get an NPC to owe you a favor.

Han: “Xue Ping, what are you doing? I’m fine. Who’d want to trick me?”

Xue Ping was brusque but caring: “Shut up. You nearly got tricked. Can’t you be more cautious?”

Yan Jiyun, inside: Exactly. Such an oblivious cutie!

So, the trio plus one cat set off for the music building.

Yan Jiyun still didn’t get why it was always the music building—was it just because it was farther from the main campus, so easier to stage something?

Han’s name was on the old roster. Was a revenger hiding among them?

Only those on that list knew the truth—one of them had been close with the deceased.

Who had been closest, who roomed together in the training camp? If they’d shared a dorm, or had a tight friendship, the avenger would be there.

What was the dead student’s name again?

Too many lingering details—Yan Jiyun’s head swirled with them.

As they neared the music building, Han asked, “Should I just go in? Whoever they are, they won’t come out if you’re here.”

Qi Feng suggested, “I’ll go around and wait at the staircase.”

Xue Ping worried, “Can you go alone?”

Han: “It’s broad daylight, and there are still classes inside—the risk’s low.”

Yan Jiyun was not so optimistic; anyone who could silently kill a classmate would have contingencies ready. They’d have to be on high alert.

Qi Feng and the others set a time. He’d go wait at the stairs, Xue Ping would lag behind Han, making Han look alone.

The trees around the music building offered cover; Qi Feng slipped into their shade.

Han Ruibai soon arrived.

Yan Jiyun poked head and shoulders out of the backpack for air.

Qi Feng stuffed him back in, wanting to avoid losing his cat when they needed him most. Yan Jiyun, understanding, obediently snuggled back in, but kept his head poking out.

Han drew closer to the music building.

Strangely, there were no solo footsteps heading toward the entrance.

Was the assailant waiting inside a classroom?

Han saw Qi Feng’s shadow in the bushes, felt reassured, and feigned ignorance as he continued forward.

But just as he reached the entryway, a tremor ran through the building above. Footsteps clattered in chaos from a second-floor classroom.

Yan Jiyun heard someone shout: “Fire!”

Class had scarcely begun—students were still settling down—so the moment the alarm was called, everyone bolted for the stairs. Standing at the entrance, Han was instantly swept away by the rushing crowd; Qi Feng, arriving a moment later, found Han already gone!

Qi Feng clicked his tongue.

It was the first time Yan Jiyun had ever heard Qi Feng vent. Turns out, even Qi Feng gets frustrated.

In the real world, Qi Feng seemed like the perfect can opener; in the game, he was a high-level player—respected, reliable, idolized by rookies. Only by playing side by side now did Yan Jiyun realize Qi Feng was human too, with plenty of emotions.

But—back to the main point.

Yan Jiyun refocused on Han Ruibai, now swallowed by a flood of students. The mastermind had foreseen the possibility of Han running into someone and had staged a fire alarm so that, at the critical moment, Han would be swept away. An effective tactic.

But a new problem arose—if Han knew Qi Feng and Xue Ping waited just outside, why didn’t he leave with the crowd, or once caught, shout Xue Ping’s name for help? Was it accidental, or intentional?

The crowd, thick and disorganized, rattled Qi Feng and Xue Ping.

“The perp planned this,” Xue Ping cursed, dashing into the building, only to get knocked back by the stream of fleeing students.

Qi Feng didn’t force his way in; whoever planned it had prepared thoroughly.

Yan Jiyun checked Quest 4:

【Main Quest 4: The Next One.】

【Quest Details: Please identify the next victim.】

Han Ruibai might be the next target—or perhaps not.

Flipping the logic, Han Ruibai himself might be the mastermind, since he couldn’t be completely ruled out.

Qi Feng didn’t seem worried—possibly he had his own theory.

Qi Feng had met Xue Ping first, unlike Yan Jiyun, who’d been helped by Han Ruibai. Without preconceived notions, Qi Feng was probably thinking more clearly.

If Han Ruibai had another target, it would almost certainly be a fellow art-exam classmate.

The old training roster was from their first year; the next target must be from the group now all in senior three. Aside from juniors and sophomores attending music classes, only senior three’s art-exam class was present here.

Which art class was here now?

He saw Wang Ziming.

Wang Ziming and Liu Yixuan should be classmates, both from 12th Grade, Class 17. In Copy B, both belonged to that class; except for minor story differences, character backgrounds stayed the same. But where was Liu Yixuan now?

Yan Jiyun put the clues together—the next victim had to be Liu Yixuan!

When the crowds dispersed, Qi Feng went in. The students and teachers had evacuated.

Yan Jiyun hooked his front claws over Qi Feng’s nape, ready to jump to his shoulder.

Qi Feng, climbing the stairs, kept a restraining hand on Caramel’s head. “Caramel, stay inside for now.”

Yan Jiyun ignored him, hopping atop Qi Feng’s shoulder and clawing playfully at his hair—for once, this felt safer.

Qi Feng hadn’t expected Caramel to take over his head at such a moment, but figured it didn’t hurt, so let him be.

【Who’s Seen My Cat?】

“Feng-ge! You’re the icy high-level player—throw that cat, he’s ruining your look!”

“Only I think Feng-ge seems kinder now?”

“Warmth is useless! I want to see cold, calculating pro moves. Still, that black cat is so obedient; tell him to stay in the bag and he does, never creating trouble.”

Xue Ping raced upstairs looking for Han, but Qi Feng remained on the first floor.

Once the crowd and teachers had gone, peace returned; no safety officers came to check the fire alarm.

Yan Jiyun pricked his ears at faint dragging noises from upstairs. At a time like this, anyone moving things on the upper floors was highly suspicious.

He leapt from Qi Feng’s shoulder to the ground, pawed at his leg, and beckoned him to follow.

Qi Feng, curious about his cat’s cleverness in-game, trailed after.

Never had he seen Caramel so active; usually, the cat dozed all day, but now he was proactive to the point of frightening his own owner—blink and he’d vanish.

Yan Jiyun headed straight to the third floor and up to Teacher Qu’s exclusive music classroom, where he turned and pounced into Qi Feng’s arms—trembling.

Qi Feng, practiced, caught and hugged his terrified Caramel, pressing his head to his chest in comfort.

Qi Feng: You just ran so fast—scared now, weren’t you (bā).